DRUG networks, child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, radicalisation and harassment were some of the key issues discussed at a Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership event in Trowbridge on Wednesday.

Trowbridge Rugby Club played host to talks from people who have been caught up in all these tragedies, where people from Wiltshire and further afield could learn from survivors’ stories at the ‘The changing face of vulnerability’ event.

The speakers included representatives from Parents against child sexual exploitation, St Giles Trust and, among others, Nick Gazzard, who since his daughter Hollie was tragically murdered in 2014 by an ex-partner has set up a charity to raise awareness of stalking, harassment and domestic abuse.

Head of public protection at Wiltshire Police, Deb Smith, said: “The fact that we have brought numerous agencies to listen to the voice of victims and the families that have suffered at the hands of criminals, it is great to know that we are doing are utmost to clamp down on these threats together.

“The reason why we chose these themes is because each of these threats exist in Wiltshire. We are working with schools to educate people about these threats, how to avoid them and how to report them.

“We liaise with agencies, other police forces, vulnerable people, families and professionals as part of a collaborative effort to find innovative ways to stop this from happening.

“The feedback we got from the dozens of people who came along has been fantastic. We have all learnt a lot.”

Other topics included the increasing challenges of cyber crime, which has meant policing has had to adapt as it is now easier than ever for criminals to create networks across the country, to influence people’s lives and behaviour at a distance, to know where people are and, sadly, to exploit them.

Mr Gazzard said: “Since we set up the The Hollie Gazzard Trust, we have raised £350,000 and events like this are really good for spreading the word about these sorts of issues.

“It has been so worthwhile.”

After the talks, some of the speakers, which also included detective inspector Dickon Turner at Avon and Somerset Police and former gang members Arnold Yousaf, Joanne Bakare and Colin Hylton, led workshops on their field of expertise.

DI Turner added: “What this offers is a great insight into people’s real stories. That helps us to understand what we are dealing with better. We are working with groups across Wiltshire to tackle radicalisation, be it extremist forms of Islam or far right ideologies.”

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here